New Brunswick renting guide
What a landlord can and cannot charge in New Brunswick
Beyond rent and one security deposit, a New Brunswick landlord cannot pile on extra fees. No application fees, no pet fees, and no demand for last month's rent up front.
What can a landlord charge for, beyond rent, in New Brunswick?
For tenants
A landlord can ask you for rent and one security deposit, capped at one month's rent, or one week for a week-to-week tenancy. That is it. They cannot charge an application or credit-check fee, a pet fee or pet deposit, or a key or cleaning fee, and they cannot make you prepay last month's rent or pay first and last together. The only extras allowed are a real cost for a service, like cutting a new key you lost, and a bounced-cheque fee if your lease says so. If you are charged something else, you can file a complaint with the Office.
For landlords
You can collect rent, one security deposit (one month, or one week for week-to-week), and a reasonable charge for an actual service. You cannot charge an application or credit-check fee, a pet fee or extra pet deposit, or require first and last month together. You can still ask an applicant to apply and run a credit check, you just cannot charge a fee for it.
The key facts
- Security deposit
- 1 month max (1 week for week-to-week)
- First + last month
- Cannot be required
- Application / credit-check fee
- Not allowed
- Pet fee or pet deposit
- Not allowed
- Allowed extras
- Real service cost; NSF cheque fee
Common questions
Can my landlord make me pay last month's rent up front?
No. A landlord cannot require you to prepay last month's rent, or to pay first and last month together. They can ask for the first month's rent plus one security deposit, and nothing more.
Can a landlord charge an application fee or a pet fee?
No. New Brunswick does not allow application or credit-check fees, and pet fees and extra pet deposits are not allowed either. Beyond rent and the one security deposit, a landlord can only charge a real cost for a service, like replacing a lost key.
Sources
This is general information, not legal advice. For a decision on your situation, contact Tenant and Landlord Relations Office (formerly the Residential Tenancies Tribunal).
Have a specific question? Ask the rental assistant for a plain answer with a source.
